Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill]

Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill]

Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill] Group Walks | Join a Walk

153m Elevation
46m Prominence
England Country

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Classifications

100-199m Tump

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Elevation

153m

502 ft

Prominence

46m

Coordinates

51.6590, -1.5713

SU297956

OS Map

164

Explorer: 170W

At the Summit

The summit is crowned with a historic folly, a charming structure reminiscent of times past, and features a few well-placed benches to rest your weary legs while you take in the glorious views.

Terrain & Geology

Grassy with some wooded areas and gentle slopes.

Faringdon Hill features predominantly Oxford Clay, which is known for its fine-grained, bluish-grey colour and is quite prevalent in the region. The hill also has some sections of limestone, providing a rather lovely contrast in textures and colours.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, you can spot the rolling landscapes of the Cotswolds, the town of Faringdon below, and on exceptionally clear days, even the spires of Oxford's universities can be seen in the distance.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Faringdon' comes from the Old English 'Ferendun', which means 'hill of the people'. Quite fitting, as many folks flock here, not just for the views but for a jolly good time.

Historical Significance

Historically, Faringdon Hill was a beacon site, with its folly historically serving as a viewpoint and a marker for navigation for those traversing the countryside.

Popular Routes

Circular Trail from Faringdon

Easy

A scenic circular route that provides an excellent overview of Faringdon Hill, taking you through beautiful woodlands and open fields.

4.5 km 1.5 hours

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

There is limited parking available at Faringdon Community College, located just a 10-minute walk from the hill's base.

Public Transport

Faringdon is well served by bus routes from Oxford, Swindon, and surrounding towns, with services running regularly throughout the day.

Nearby Facilities

Faringdon boasts several cafes and pubs, including the famous 'The Bell' pub, perfect for a post-walk pint, as well as public restrooms located at various points in the town.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Beware of uneven ground and occasional muddy patches, particularly after rainfall. The area is also popular with cyclists, so be alert!

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

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Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill]?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill] through the maps

Are there other walkers around Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill]?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill] search or of course create your own walk for Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill]

Can I organise a walk to Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill]?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill].

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill]?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Faringdon Hill [Folly Hill] here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible